I can't tell you what a massive deal this is. DH is highly sensitive to noise and has been having a psychotic episode for ten days culminating in two days of doctors and crisis team people traipsing in to see us. He hasn't been leaving the house much and when I'm home (I work full time) he has been attached to me like a limpet. He is supposed to be the full time home maker so feels guilty (and more depressed) if I do any housework in front of him - I end up sneaking around with a duster shoved in my pocket as if trying to meet a lover. He has never hoovered as it is emotionally stressful for him 
and he has a bad back (fair enough). I can't hoover when anyone is asleep, which can be large amounts of the time I have at home.
It's not quite as disgusting as it sounds as the whole downstairs and ds's room has laminate laid down. But the stairs are revolting. Were revolting. But dh went out for a walk ON HIS OWN and must be feeling better. Now the stairs are just a bit grim, which I can live with. I have also put on a wash (which is often too noisy for him), changed over the dishwasher, dusted and swept the front room and tidied the lego which was a total mess and spilling onto the floor! I feel cleansed!